Mexican-American War

Definition

The Mexican-American War was a conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, primarily stemming from territorial disputes after the U.S. annexation of Texas. This war led to significant military campaigns and the eventual Bear Flag Revolt in California, as well as the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which drastically altered the map of North America and set the stage for future ethnic rights movements.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The war began in April 1846 when President James K. Polk sent troops to disputed territories, claiming it was necessary to protect American interests in Texas.
2. The U.S. military employed strategies that included direct assaults and blockades, leading to significant victories at battles such as Palo Alto and Buena Vista.
3. California played a crucial role during the conflict, where the Bear Flag Revolt coincided with U.S. military campaigns and highlighted tensions between American settlers and Mexican authorities.
4. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, resulted in Mexico ceding over half its territory to the U.S., which had lasting impacts on both countries' demographics and economies.
5. The war intensified debates over slavery in newly acquired territories, contributing to sectional tensions that ultimately led to the Civil War.

Review Questions

• How did the Bear Flag Revolt connect with the broader context of the Mexican-American War?
  • The Bear Flag Revolt was closely tied to the Mexican-American War as it represented American settlers' frustrations with Mexican rule and their aspirations for independence. Occurring in June 1846, just months before formal hostilities began between the U.S. and Mexico, the revolt showcased local resistance that coincided with U.S. military actions aimed at securing California. This revolt not only contributed to military campaigns but also highlighted the growing divide between American settlers and Mexican authorities.
• In what ways did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo reshape the relationship between the United States and Mexico after the war?
  • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo fundamentally altered U.S.-Mexico relations by ceding approximately half of Mexico's territory to the United States, including present-day California and Texas. This massive territorial gain fostered resentment in Mexico towards the U.S., creating long-term diplomatic challenges. Additionally, it heightened tensions within America regarding slavery's expansion into new territories, setting the stage for political conflicts that would erupt in civil war.
• Evaluate how the outcomes of the Mexican-American War influenced the Chicano Movement and subsequent ethnic rights movements in California.
  • The outcomes of the Mexican-American War had profound implications for Mexican-Americans in California and beyond. The annexation of vast territories created a complex identity crisis among those who found themselves living in a new country that often marginalized their cultural heritage. As a result, this historical backdrop set the stage for movements like the Chicano Movement in the 1960s, which sought to reclaim rights and assert cultural identity for Mexican-Americans facing discrimination. This struggle for recognition can be traced back to grievances rooted in post-war sentiments regarding land loss and cultural displacement.

Related terms

Bear Flag Revolt: A rebellion by American settlers in California against Mexican rule in June 1846, leading to the establishment of a short-lived California Republic.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The treaty signed in 1848 that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in Mexico ceding large territories to the United States, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable, driving policies like the annexation of Texas and the war with Mexico.